GPI 2016 Grand Prix of Europe Edition | Page 110

FEATURE D uring the European Grand Prix, at the brand new Baku City Circuit, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton struggled to establish the correct settings to obtain performance from his car, although it later emerged that his team had erred with the settings, the radio exchange between the world champion and his engineer Peter Bonnington was one of the few highlights of the race. Hamilton: “De-rates everywhere, surely isn’t helping. Is there no solution?” Bonnington: “We’re working on it.” Hamilton: “You guys need to pick up the pace.” Bonnington: “The problem appears to be with the current mode that you are in.” Hamilton: “I don’t know what you mean. I don’t know what’s wrong.” Hamilton: “Can I not reset this thing?” Hamilton: “This is ridiculous, guys. I don’t know, I’m looking at my fricking dash every five seconds trying to find the switch in the wrong position.” Bonnington: “Lewis, it’s nothing you’re doing wrong, just got a setting that’s incorrect.” Hamilton: “I might not finish the race, I’m going to try and change everything.” Bonnington: “Erm, we don’t advise that, Lewis.”